I want to take a break from our ongoing study of the last days to share with you some of the things that I believe we can expect, and therefore need to prepare for, in this coming year.
First, this will be another year of very solid spiritual growth for the body of Christ. Though 2005 was a very hard year, it was a great year for the church. 2006 will be an even better year, though it, too, will be a very hard one for the world. However, many of the difficulties are the birth pangs of the coming of the kingdom. From the tsunami to Hurricane Katrina, to the devastating quake in Pakistan, the earth seems to be becoming increasingly angry, but this is what Paul wrote about in Romans 8:18-23:
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
The spiritual birth contraction that we are in now has not yet peaked. We will have more upheaval in the natural, spiritual, and political realms for a time, but then we will have a relatively peaceful reprieve. We need to use both. Both are great opportunities for the true seekers and worshipers of God. As the world shakes more and more, those who are drawing closer to the Lord will be doing better and better in every way.
Just as much of the pain of childbirth is caused by the mother having a tendency in the natural to do what is actually contrary to what she should be doing to work with the process, those who are living their lives from “a natural perspective” will be going in the opposite direction that they should, and in many cases doing the opposite of what they should be doing. This will only cause more stress in their lives. Those who are not living according to the natural, but in harmony with the Spirit, may seem to be doing the opposite of what they should to those who only have a natural perspective, but these will be having a much easier time.
For this reason, the most important thing that we can do is obey the most basic command to those who are true seekers and true worshipers which is found in Matthew 6:33-34:
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We must have as our number one goal to seek the kingdom in all things. We must have as our second goal to live in the present purposes of God day by day. We must have as our third goal to not be controlled by anxiety or fear, but rather to live by faith.
If you will set these in your heart to obey in 2006, then it will be the best year you have ever had. Not only will it be the most successful year as God adds to you all that you need, but it will be a year of increasing peace and joy in your life.
There is a peace and joy that we are called to have that no event on this earth can shake. There will be increasing upheaval in the world this year, but increasing peace, joy, and victory for those who are drawing closer to the Lord.
It does not matter what predicament we may have gotten ourselves into because we made major decisions that were not from the perspective of seeking the kingdom first. Our situations can be changed. Through repentance, humbling ourselves, and acknowledging our mistakes before God, and man if needed, as well as the resolve to live from now on by seeking the kingdom and the interests of the kingdom above all other considerations, the hand of the Lord will begin to turn our situations around.
Presently, most Christians are not in the right place. Many are not even rightly connected to the body of Christ, and not in a local church. This will prove a terrible disaster if it is not corrected soon. You cannot be rightly related to the Head without being rightly related to His body, too. Those who are not in the right place are almost all in that situation because they made major decisions without seeking first the kingdom.
Many are living in the wrong cities because they moved there for the best job or professional opportunities rather than seeking the kingdom first. It may be too late to go to the place where you should have gone, but the Lord’s grace is abundant to those who humble themselves, and He will lead you to the place that is right for you now if you will seek Him and His purposes first in your life. As we are told in Romans 8:14, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
If the Spirit of God is leading you, then you will walk in increasing light and power. As we are told in Proverbs 4:18, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” If we are walking on the path of righteousness, every day will get brighter for us. This is what the Lord wants to give every one of His people this coming year—increasing light, increasing understanding, and light upon their path.
Along with this will come more peace in our life than we have ever known. Peace will become the most obvious characteristic of those who are truly abiding in Him during the times ahead.
I was given Proverbs 4 as a word for us for the coming year. Please read it carefully, study it, and obey it. Obedience and faithfulness to what it teaches will bring light, hope, peace, and victory.
Proverbs 4
For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction.
When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live;
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you.
"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom, and with all your acquiring, get understanding.
"Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
"She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty."
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.
I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble.
Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body.
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established.
Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.
If we will seek first the kingdom in all of our major decisions, and in our daily decisions, this will be our best year yet, and we will know peace and joy like we never have before. The gate of the kingdom has been opened to you. Go through it.
